Ex-Wolves, Fulham, and Sheffield United midfielder returns to former club

Former Wolves midfielder Kevin McDonald has returned to Exeter City after signing a short-term contract with the League One outfit.

The 36-year-old was a player for the Grecians in the 2022/23 season and made 11 appearances, scoring three goals. McDonald also enjoyed a brief spell as caretaker manager.

Exeter opted to appoint Gary Caldwell, and he signed for Bradford City in the summer of 2023, making 23 appearances, but was released at the end of August this year.

McDonald has spent the last 11 weeks without a club but had been training with Exeter before signing a deal with them. McDonald is expected to play for their under-21s team, providing a supporting role to helping the stars of the future, but he could make his way back in to the first-team.

Speaking to the official club website about his return to St James Park, he said ‘It feels good. I've trained here for a while to keep fit and it's great to be back.

‘The squad is highly impressive and I'm comfortable with the environment. The squad have been great at welcoming me back. I loved my time here in 2023, which was a big reason why I came back to train here. 

‘The standard and quality within the team is high and there is no limit as the manager has said previously. I've been impressed in training with the younger lads and the senior lads and the intensity and development has been good to see.

‘It's a club that is on the up and hopefully I can continue to help with that.’

‘I still feel I've got a lot to offer as a player and until I feel that has gone I'm excited to still be a player and this role is the best of both worlds.’

McDonald brings a wealth of experience to Exeter, having had a 19-year senior playing career with over 600 appearances at various levels. He was signed from Sheffield United in 2013, and was a member of Wolves' title-winning squad that lifted the League One title in 2014.

The Scotland under-21 international was ever present for the first season back in the Championship, and appeared a further 35 times for Wolves in the following season. Fulham signed him in 2016 for an undisclosed fee, and helped the West London side win promotion to the Premier League in 2018.

The other clubs in his career are Dundee, Burnley, Scunthorpe United, Notts County, and Dundee United. At Burnley he won the Championship play-offs.

‘Kev has been with us for a few months now working hard and getting fit,’ added Caldwell.

"We felt like it was an opportunity to get him in on a more permanent basis - it's only short term, but we felt like getting him as part of the squad because of the level he has shown everyday.

‘He has played at a really high level and still has a lot to offer. His experience with Bradford will be beneficial. He is someone I have huge respect for and we will assess in January to see if we can extend the deal.’